Self-healing metal structures
First Claim
1. A self-healing metal structure, comprising:
- a base metal structural component;
a phase change material adjacent at least a portion of the base metal structural component; and
a protective component at least partially encapsulating the phase change material and configured to contain a liquid phase of the phase change material to a specific area,wherein, upon propagation of a spatial defect in the base metal structural component reaching the phase change material, the phase change material reacts with the base metal structural component to form an intermetallic compound to at least partially occupy the spatial defect.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A self-healing metal structure is provided for transferring heat between an electronics component and a substrate. The self-healing metal structure includes a base metal structural component. A phase change material is provided adjacent at least a portion of the base metal structural component. A protective component at least partially encapsulates the phase change material. Upon the presence of a spatial defect in the base metal structural component, the phase change material reacts with the base structural component to form an intermetallic compound to at least partially occupy the spatial defect. The phase change material at least partially encapsulated with the protective component may be disposed within the base metal structural component as a plurality of separate capsules incorporated therein, or the phase change material at least partially surrounds the base metal structural component.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A self-healing metal structure, comprising:
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a base metal structural component; a phase change material adjacent at least a portion of the base metal structural component; and a protective component at least partially encapsulating the phase change material and configured to contain a liquid phase of the phase change material to a specific area, wherein, upon propagation of a spatial defect in the base metal structural component reaching the phase change material, the phase change material reacts with the base metal structural component to form an intermetallic compound to at least partially occupy the spatial defect. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A self-healing metal structure assembly for transferring heat between an electronics component and a substrate, the self-healing metal structure assembly comprising:
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an electronics component; a substrate; a base metal structural component providing thermal communication between the electronics component and the substrate; a phase change material in contact with at least a portion of the base metal structural component; and a protective metal component encapsulating the phase change material and configured to contain a liquid phase of the phase change material to a specific area, wherein, upon propagation of a spatial defect in the base metal structural component reaching the phase change material, the phase change material reacts with the base metal structural component to form an intermetallic compound to at least partially occupy the spatial defect. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A self-healing metal structure, comprising:
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a base metal structural component; a plurality of separate capsules incorporated within the base metal structural component, each capsule comprising a phase change material encapsulated with a protective metal component; wherein, upon propagation of a spatial defect in the base metal structural component reaching the phase change material, the phase change material reacts with the base metal structural component to form an intermetallic compound to at least partially occupy the spatial defect.
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Specification